BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Monday exchanged congratulatory messages with his Ethiopian counterpart, Gedion Timothewos, over the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

In his message, Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, noted that China and Ethiopia share a traditional friendship that is profound and has grown stronger over time.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago, the two countries have treated each other with sincerity and mutual support, jointly setting an example of solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, Wang said.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both countries, China-Ethiopia relations have maintained robust development with deepening political mutual trust and fruitful practical cooperation, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he said.

Wang said he is ready to work with Gedion Timothewos to take the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties as an opportunity to deepen exchanges and cooperation between the two foreign ministries, follow through on the outcomes of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Summit and the important consensus reached by the leaders of both countries, continue to strengthen their all-weather strategic partnership, so as to make greater contributions to building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

For his part, Gedion Timothewos said that Ethiopia and China share a profound traditional friendship, and their friendly and cooperative relations are based on mutual respect, sovereign equality and a vision of common development.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations 55 years ago, the two countries have continued to deepen their ties and carried out mutually beneficial and win-win practical cooperation, demonstrating a multi-dimensional and strategic development trend and setting a model for South-South cooperation, he said.

He said that China has played a significant role in Ethiopia's national development process, significantly advancing the country's infrastructure and industrialization.

In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, Ethiopia and China have joined hands to tackle the challenges of the complex global situation, closely collaborated on international and regional affairs of common concern, and elevated their ties to an all-weather strategic partnership, he said.

He said that Ethiopia will always work with China to continuously expand practical cooperation, jointly address risks and challenges, and bring benefits to the people of the two countries.